Næstved, an industrial town and port, lies on the southwest coast of Zealand where the River Suså flows into Karrebæk Fjord, providing a link between the town and the Bay of Karrebæksminde.
History
Næstved developed around a medieval monastery, and trade and fishing were the main occupations of the inhabitants. Until the wars with Sweden in the 17th C. the town had commercial links with North Germany, Scotland and Norway. The extension of the port, enabling it to be used by large ships, the improvement of communications with Copenhagen and the south of the island, as well as the arrival of various industries all brought a renewed upsurge in the town's fortunes in the 19th C. Important branches of industry now include engineering, ceramics, wood and paper. A squadron of brightly dressed cavalry rides through the town every Wednesday morning.
The Mansion of Gisselfeld (1554), an impressive Renaissance building which has been altered several times, lies to the northwest of Fakse on Zealand and is surrounded by a moat. The house is situated in a very beautifully maintained park laid out in the English style and containing a lake, a grotto with a waterfall, a fountain, a rose-island and 400 different species of trees and bushes, including a bamboo grove.
Among the many half-timbered houses of Næstved, the Apostelgården in Riddergade is of particular interest. It has carved figures of the Apostles on the beams of the facade (ca. 1500); each Apostle is carrying an object symbolizing his martyrdom.
About 2.5 km/1.5 mi north of the town center of Næstved stands a former Benedictine Monastery (Skovkloster, ca. 1200), which houses the Herlufsholm boarding school. The late medieval monastery church is one of the oldest brick churches in Denmark. It has an unusually wide nave and is notable for some magnificent tombs, which include those of Admiral Herluf Trolle, who endowed the monastery as a school, and of his wife Birgitte Goye. Note the impressive Gothic ivory Crucifix (ca. 1230) and the Baroque pulpit of about 1620 by Ejler Abelsen.
The glassworks are in Holmegård, a few miles outside Næstved. Artistic and everyday articles in blown glass are produced here, together with bottles, preserving jars and medicine bottles. Visitors can watch the glass-blowers at work.
The very beautiful House of the Holy Ghost (Heiligåndshuset) at Ringstedgade 4 in Næstved was built in the 15th C. and formerly used as a hospital. It now houses the Municipal Museum (Næstved Museum), exhibiting medieval and more modern wood carvings.
In Church Square stands the old Town Hall of Næstved and medieval brick houses with arched windows bedded in mortar. These 15th C. "stone booths" (Stenboderne) are the only remaining medieval terraced houses in Denmark; they were once occupied by craftsmen. Today they house a museum of local crafts, glassware and silver.
Among half-timbered houses in central Næstved stands an old pharmacy (Loveapoteket), a recently-restored half-timbered building of 1853 in the Dutch Renaissance style. Medicinal herbs and spices are grown in the garden.
25 km/16 mi southeast of Næstved the little town of Præstø is charmingly situated on Fakse Bay and has a pretty 15th century church. On the northern edge of the town stands Nysø Mansion, the main buildings of which are 17th century; in the garden is a studio built by Baroness Stampfe for the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen; a side wing of the manor houses a collection of the artist's works.
The stately home Sparresholm (17th C.) lies 14 km/9 mi west of Næstved. It was built in Renaissance style for Jens Sparre and has a beautiful flight of steps leading to the courtyard. In a former cowshed can be seen a collection of horse-drawn vehicles of all kinds, both carriages and carts. Nearby will be found a wheelwright's shop, a stable and a running track with Olympic measurements.
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
The oldest part of Næstved is that near St Peter's Church (Skt. Peders Kirke), the largest Gothic church in Denmark. Most of the building dates from the 13th C.; it was comprehensively restored between 1883 and 1885. During this restoration wall-paintings of ca. 1375 were found in the choir, including a representation of King Valdemar IV and his Consort, Hedwig, kneeling at a penitent's stool. Also to be seen are a choir screen by Abel Schroder the Elder (ca. 1600), a 13th C. Crucifix, a copper font and a pulpit of 1671.
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